57% say footrest removal not an issue

FOOTREST VIEWS: Most of those who took part in our online poll thought seats were more important than footrests. (Getty Images)

Footrests, or the rather the lack of footrests on Emirates aircraft, will not send the majority of passenger rushing to find alternative carriers, an Arabian Business poll has revealed.

Airline officials confirmed on Monday that footrests had been removed from economy class in their planes in a bid to save weight as aviation fuel costs rocket.

The removal of footrests follows a previous announcement that all magazines would also be taken away in the weight-loss initiative.

But a majority of people who took part in our online poll on Tuesday said that the comfort of the seats onboard was more important than the lack of footrests.

Fifty-two percent of respondents said as long as the seats were comfortable, they couldn't care less about the footrests.

And a further five percent of people thought the footrest issue was a small price to pay for what is an excellent flying experience overall.

But not everyone was happy and 15 percent said the footrests removal was the final straw and they would not be flying Emirates again.

Another 28 percent of respondents believed Emirates had made a mistake in removing the footrests and while they might remain Emirates customers, they thought a lot of people would consider their options.

While Emirates have removed economy class benefits, company chiefs revealed on Monday that passengers in first class on the new A380 will benefit from a shower spa while business class has a lounge area with a bar plus each seat in business has its own mini-bar.

The surging price of oil, which reached a record $147.12 a barrel on July 11, has forced airlines around the world to look at ways of boosting fuel efficiency while reducing payloads.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Removal of footrests on Emirates economy seats
Posted by Colin Tang on Monday 10 November 2008 at 09:58 UAE time

I recently flew Sydney-Morocco on Emirates. I found that the removal of the footrest caused great discomfort as the front edge of the seat kept constant pressure behind my knees. From a medical perspective this is a highly dangerous situation as this will reduce the blood circulation to the rest of the leg and will increase the risk of DVT. I will not be flying Emirates again for this very reason.

Thank you, Colin Tang

the footrest issue bering just another one in a list of impossibles
Posted by annlar, nYC, USA on Wednesday 30 July 2008 at 23:53 UAE time

"Next you will have the economy class sit on their suitcases. On your flights you are either a king or a pauper, and the legacy continues."


Yeah, sure, and why not. We are not deserving. Anything below biz or first class is only fit to enrich these two and cater to their comfort. Let's not forget "the Moor has done his./her work now the moor may go". It's a known fact that in Arab nations the human factor/ the human does not count if not rich and/or native born at least.

Consider budget carriers, no food but the right comfort
Posted by Sunny, Dubai on Wednesday 30 July 2008 at 12:20 UAE time

Well EK may just lose a handful of customers by adapting such cost cutting measures. More importantly the value to customers shall not be negotiated upon. EK has been known for its comfort and value although on a small scale, they are bringing it down. I think EK flyers can yet bear a slight increase in prices than decreased comfort.

I hope EK isn't trying to be a budget carrier with conventional prices. When u have so many of them around, one would rather purchase a first class ticket with them for the same price as EK economy.

Material Science
Posted by Hussain M, Jeddah/Thuwal, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday 30 July 2008 at 10:58 UAE time

Footrests... there's really no real difference in weight if they are gonna install dedicated minibars to business class and showers for first class,

this just goes to show how CHEAP airlines are... infact i wouldn't be surprised in a couple of years if they ask u to put ur children down with the luggage.
Removing the footrests is not a major issue... but when it comes to reducing weight...they could've simply switched from steel foot rests to CPVC or some kind of heavy duty thermoplastic..

Japans JAL didn't remove the footrests...what they did was redesign their cabins with lighter plastic materials and lightweight alumin studs... and they even redesigned their spoons n forks.

The whole payload issue thing doesn't make sense to me on the long run... removing footrests isn't gonna make a A380 fly faster and more efficiently when there are minibars serving chardonnay up front...

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